☕️MORNING BUZZ
—Last fall, Oakland’s leadership proposed using an unrealized sale of the Coliseum to balance a soaring budget deficit.
The city still owns its half-interest in the Coliseum, and the perspective buyer has paid just $5 million of the proposed $105 million price tag. If the property is ever sold, the proceeds won’t show up in the budget until next year.
Fast forward to this month and Oakland officials are proposing a similar approach to closing an $89 million shortfall for the current fiscal year, and a roughly $180 million deficit for Fiscal Year 2026-27.
The underpinning of Interim Oakland Mayor Kevin Jenkins’ budget rest on the vague promise of voters passing a new parcel tax in June 2026. The parcel tax could generate an additional $40 million in annual revenues, based on estimates.
Asking Oakland voters to pitch-in has been customary in recent years, and it’s proven to be a very successful gambit.
Oaklanders simply can’t resist passing revenue-generating measures. Amid city hall scandal and mistrust of local government, Oakland voters overwhelmingly supported a half-cent sales tax measure in April that is estimated to bring in $30 million annually.
However, Oakland’s laws of political gravity don’t always apply to other cities in the county, as you’ll read below.
The proposed budget again highlights the sheer power of Oakland city employees unions. Roughly 400 positions would be cut under the budget plan, but most are vacant. Only a fraction of the 400 jobs will result in actual job losses.
Jenkins’ budget, which will be reviewed by the Oakland City Council at a special budget meeting on Wednesday afternoon, has the blessing of Mayor-elect Barbara Lee.
As for public safety, the budget proposed to fund up to 678 police officers, a figure well below the 800 that Lee supported during the mayoral campaign. It also cuts two police academies.
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—More inside:
San Leandro may also ask voters for money, but success at the ballot box is far less certain.
Censured ‘Dro councilmember wants to add a code of ethics to the council’s handbook.
Union City’s long-running bid for a third cannabis dispensary is a success for a local grassroots group.
Hayward’s plan for additional license plate readers is put hold over concerns that data captured could aid ICE
Relations between Hayward city employees and its new city manager remain tense.
Vote on Berkeley’s EMBERS initiative is postponed to June.
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